Helsinki shipyard and Russian mining company Norilsk Nickel are joining forces to build a new icebreaker in northern Siberia, the companies said on Tuesday.
It was reported at the Helsinki shipyard that the new vessel will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulfur diesel.
Construction is scheduled to begin later this year and the vessel will be delivered on time for the winter season 2025.
The Helsinki shipyard said there would be a new ship "the largest and most efficient diesel-electric icebreaker ever built in Finland" able to break two meters of ice. According to the company, the vessel will also be able to carry cargo and provide helicopter support functions.
The company said the project will create about 2,100 person-years for the shipbuilding and marine industries. The yard is located in the Hietalahti and Hernesaari districts.
"Receipt of the new icebreaker by the end of 2024 will be very important to Nornickel as it will provide the additional transportation capacity needed to carry out both of our strategic investment projects, including the refurbishment plans for the city of Norilsk. And we are pleased to announce that it will be fueled by LNG that is in line with current trends in CO2 emissions and is a pioneer in LNG on the Northern Sea Route." Deputy Director of Norilsk Nickel, Sergei Dubovitsky, said in a statement.
The companies said they were negotiating the deal last summer and signed the deal in the fall. The cost of the project was not disclosed exemption.
The new icebreaker will clear the areas leading to the Karan Sea to secure access to the port of Dudinka in northern Siberia.
Helsinki Shipyard was founded under the name Helsingfors Skeppsdocka in 1865 and specializes in icebreaker technologies.
Norilsk Nickel produces palladium and refined nickel and is an important source of platinum and copper in the world market.
Source: The Nordic Page